The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-05
a Word of Caution.

Doubtless the reader has heard OF the So
called outbreaks of contagious diseases, now
from here, then from there and yet again
from another place, and that in but one
place (Jhe Chicago swill-pen dairies) recently
has the disease been found to be contagious
pleuro-pneumOnIa. In all the large States
of the Union the cattle interest involves
vast sums of money, much of which might
be lost in moment by the indiscreet pub
LEGATION of supposed case OF this dreaded
malady. While we by no means advocate
secrecy when the disease is discovered, it
should be distinctly understood and be ever
borne in mind that all diseases are not lung
diseases, neither are all lung diseases con-
tagious, though apparently very fatal.
IL is against the publication of false stories
that we guard the public, against the gen.
eral dissemination OF a1y stories calculated
to jeOpardize the property interests of others,
nay Of whole States that we caution every
reader, and indeed every citizen. A recently
supposed discovery OF pleuro-pneumonia ia
a iot OF Jersey cattle shipped from Indiana
10 Texas Is q case in point. for there the ami
mails began to droop and die very strangely
and suddenly soon after their arrival, aud
such are the interests in peril, such the
dread of the introduction of contagious dis
ease, that men s fears took voice and words
took wing to spread the news over the entire
continent that the pleuro pneumonia was in
by proper and competent officials that the
disease was little else than the acclimating
fever common to cattle carelessly exposed in
an inclement climate after life OF compare
tive care and nursing. And cases similar to
this have been found in several States and
the news sent all over the land, only to be
denied after a few days.
Nor must one think that because the
denial comes after the rumor no injury is
done; all such things impair confidence
lessen values, disturb the interests of trade
cause no end of loss TO the interests involved
and do good TO nobody. III one discovers
that any of his cattle are sick, the first thing
to do is TO separate them as far as possible
from those who show no signs of disease
then To gave them comfortable quarters and
careful nursing, change of diet composed
largely OF warm mashes and the chill taken
OIL all the water given them. Should the
evidence s continue, or the suffering increase
and the disease can be traced to no known
cause, and especially if the patients have
been in contact with strange cattle the
facts set forth as clearly as possible should
be Immediately telegraphed or written to
the Governor. He is charged with the
duty of taking action, and will undoubtedly
do so at once; but should no re-
spouse come from him in reasonable time
message of the same character should be
sent TO State Inspector DIR. Paul Paquin at
Columbia, Mo-, who is also State Veterina-
ria2. One or both OF these will be very apt
to take knowledge of the case and advise
with you at once. There is, however, no
necessity for alarming the neighborhood or
of making the matter public until it is def
nitely known that the disease is contagious
one.
We know that this delay may involve some
risks, but the delay need not be for long nor
the risk great, if ISOLATION as suggested is re-
sorted to at once. In the meantime, it is
stated, on the best possible authority-that
of the Bureau of Animal Industry whose
Chief is kept advised, at the earliest pos ,ible
moment, by agents distributed all over the
country-that there is no trace of contagious
pleuro-pneumOnia anywhere west Of the Al
legheny Mountains, and nothing to hinder
the traffic in cattle of all kinds any more
than from farm to farm in Missouri.